Studies on drying characteristics of (Tinospora cordifolia) Giloy stem

Abstract

Natural drug from the plants are gaining popularity because of several advantages such as often fewer side effect, better patient tolerance, relatively less expensive and acceptance due to a long history of use, especially herbal medicines provide rational means for the treatment of many diseases that are obstinate and incurable in other system of medicine. Drying practices are important in giloy for increased active principle retrieval through improved post-harvest processing. Convective tray dryer was used for drying of Giloy stem using. Three different air temperature and air velocity was taken as a process parameters. The effect of these process parameters on the drying characteristics of (Tinospora cordifolia) giloy stem was studied. The effect of dryring air temperature and air velocity on drying time was quite evident. The initial drying rate was maximum i.e. 0.039278 g w/g dm- min at 60°C air temperature and 2m/s air velocity and was minimum 0.0275 g w/ g dm-min at 40 °C and 1m/s air velocity. The maximum drying rate was observed at initial stage of drying for all air temperatures and velocity and the drying rate decreased with drying time.